Thread-cutting device.



` C. M. HORTUN. THREAD CUTTING DEVICE.

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@tbm/n n MEW/mmm C. M. HORTON. THREAD CUTTING DEVICE. APPLwATIoN FILED oor'. 27, 190e.

Patented Feb. 4, 1913.

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THREAD CUTTING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED 0012.27. 1906. 1,051,998. Patented Feb. 4, 1913 6 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

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e. M'. HORTON.

THREAD CUTTING DEVICE.

APPLICATION RILED 00T. 27. 1906.

Patented Feb. 4, 1913.

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THREAD CUTTING DEVICE.

APPLIOATLON F`ILED 00T. 27, 1906.

Patented F0114, 1913.

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C. M. HORTON.

THREAD CUTTING DEVICE. i APPLICATION FILED 001:27, 1996.

1,051,998. Patented-Fab.4,1913.

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` accompanying drawings.

UNITED sTATEs PATENT oEEiCE.'

CHARLES M.- HORTON, 0F ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR 'lO THE 'SINGER MANU'-l FACTURING COMPANY, CORPORATION or NEW Spcication of Letters Patent.-

JERSEY.V

Patented Feb. 4,1913.

' Application filed October 267, 1906. Serial Noi` 340,828.

To all whom 'it may concern Y Be. it known that I, GHARLES M. Hoii'roN, a citizen of the United States. residing at Elizabeth, in the county of Union and State .of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Thread-Cutting Devices, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the This invention relates to thread cutting devices and accessories thereot foi-sewing machines, and particularly that class of sewing machines 'forming the subject` ofthe United States Patent No. 807,676, granted to me' Dec. 19,` 1905: and it has for its object to provide simple and effective mechanism for performing the severing operation upon both the upper and lower `threads and controlling the threads in connection therey with for insuring certainty of action of' the severing mechanism and oftherstitch-forming mechanism in t-he prodn'ction o f the initial stitch or stitches ofia'su'cceedin'g stitchingopertion. f f

In its preferred construction, the machine is provided beneath the throat-plate with a. common thread-engaging blade embraced by `two relatively movable spring-blades, all inunted upon a common pivotal support,

the common intermediate member being adapted to enter the needle thread loop to be severed and coperating' witliithe lower spring blade fornipping the shuttle thread prior to a. cutting operation and Awith the upper blade for nipping the cut end of the needle thread preparatoryv to a succeeding stitching operation'. These blades are ino-iin t.- edupon a common reciprocating carrier receiving periodically :trom the usual. v`sloyvmoving controlling cam multi-stage mov ments. in conjunction ivith'stationary camV members engaging lateral lugs' or projections carried by the several blades. tok impart to such blades advancing and 'receding movements toward and from the needle path and differential lateral movements to cause them to perform their several functions.

The cutter comprises' a. single reciprocatim;` knife-blade disposed intermediate the upper threadfnipping .blade andthe throat'- plate and is actuated by a connection with the usual stop-motion mechanism to sever I theloweij thread and one limb of the upper thread intermediate the nipping blades and the work to which theygare attached, the threads being maintained taut for suc'hioperation. The nipping blades begin their advance to operative position at abouty the time the stop-motion is tripped and complete their several movements to position both threads I.ind nip the lower thread prioijto"y the cutting operation.I which is efectedbv the lateral movement of the stop-leve iinparted by the overthrow ofthe main-'shaft f momentum. The operation ofthe stop-Iiio-l beyond stopping position. by reason of vits tion isso timed that `the'J-"fi'iialj stoppingfof the main-shaft arrests the-'final upward 'i movement of the take-up lever-"a :little below 'i 'the eXtreme upper position off the latter, -TQ- whereby the overthrow of 4,the main-shaft l jduringwhich the cutting is'produ'ced causes the take-up leveryto rise to itsfliighe'st point'.

and thus insurethatthe needle thread .in'

termediate the holding and nipping' device landthe tension may be taut for the efficient operation of the thread-cutting knife."

The presentiiniprovement includes certa-iii, additional features which will be hereinafter 80 described and setforthin the claims.

In the drawings-annexed,,Figure 1 is an elevation, and fFig. a similar view, partly in section of on'eside. of a flat-button sewpijovided withl theV present improvements, and Fig. isan Aelevation of theother side .of such machine.. F igl is a. fronti end ele-v vation of the forward portion ofthe ma chine upon aii'enlarged scale. Figs.- 5 and 6 are. respectively, an elevation' 'and plan of' the tension and. thread-controlling devices of the machine in one stagefof ytheir opering'niachine `o- Vthe well-known Singer type ation, and Figs? and 8 are similar vv iewsof thesame parts in a different stage of 'oper-A i.

ation. Fig. 9 is a planview of the worksupporting arm of the machine and parts connected therewith,with the upright portion lof the overhanging bracketarm in transverse section, and'FigzlO is af trans-1' verse .section of the vWork-supporting arm upon an enlarged scale. Figs. '11, 12 and 13 are enlarged scale'pla'n 'views of the forward portion of .the work-supporting 'arm f the i machine witli'tlie work-clamp and certain Y otheigparts .removed to show the threadnippingand Apositioning vmembers in different operative positions. Fig. 14 is a side elevation of Lthefthree thread-nipping and positioning members assembled together. Fig. is a perspective view tot the-needle thread-engaging lever and its spring nipping-blade, llig. 16 is a similar view of the intermediate thread-engaging member, and Figs. 17 and 18. respectively, a plan and edge view ot' the lowerthread-engaging lever with its spring nipping-blade Figs. 19, 217 22, 23 and 24 are perspective views showingjthe thread-nipping and positioningmembers and the cutting blade in their several relations with the threads upon which they are designed to act- T he machine-is constructed with the base 1, horizontal work-supporting arm 2 eX- tending laterally therefrom, and the overhangingbracltet-arm 3 in which is journaled f the mainshaft 4 carrying at, its rear end fastl and loose pulleys-5 and 6, "respectively, and at its vforward end the take-up camcylinder 7 having the usual cam-groove 8 entered by the roller-stud 9 projecting from the angular 'portion of the take-up lever '10 fulcrumed at 11 in the bracket-arm of the machine the forward end of the cam-cyl inder being provided with the usual crank screw-pin 12 embraced by the upper end of the pitman'l whose lower end embraces-the lateral stud 14 ofthe needle-bar 15,.which carries the needle 16. The oscillating shuttle 17, which is `provided with ythe threadcase 18, and moves in theshuttle raceway y19. receives its movements from 4the shuttle- .driver 20 upon the rock-shaft l21 journaled in the work-supporting arm and provided at.

.' its rearward end with the crank-arm having the .usual slidingsconnection .with a lateral arm 23 of the roclerswvhose lateral arm 25 is connected with thelvrvend of the pitman 26lembracing the usual actuating crank upon the main-shaft.

The work-holder comprises upper and lower members between which the work is yieldinglyheld and which are movable in any desired horizontal direction in respect of the needle 16. The upper member or pressenfoot is constructed as a buttonholder 27 carried by an arm 28 having a downturned rearward end 28 whose rounded lower extremity enters a groove or recess in a bearing plate 29 carried by a plate or bar 8O secured to the block 31 and having attached to its forward end the carrier-plate 32 which forms the lower member of the work-holder and supports the work above the throat-plate. The presser-footof the work-holder is forced yielding-ly downward by the plate-spring 33 secured rigidly at its rearward end upon the block 33 which is recessed in its forward portion to receive and house the downturnedend 28 of the arm 28 and is secured upon the bar 30. The lower plate or bar of the work-holder is j'novidcd at its rear cud with arigidly attached upright post or pin llt embraced by the recess or slot ot a hollow 'or slotted lower arm 35 of a rocking member fulcrmned or pivoted at 36 on the bracket 237. and the upper arm 35 ot' which rocking member is provided with a pin or rollerstud entering the cam-groove 3S of the slowly-moving'cam-wheel 39 deriving its, rotary motion froml the usual worm and worm-wheel `connections with the main shaft. as in my prior Patentflfio; 807,676.

between the tianges ot' the lower arm 35 is a contact block 40 held within any'desired position of adjustment by a set-screw 41. Lengt-hwise movements of the work-holder are imparted trom the cam 3S through the rocking member 35, 35', post. S14-'and intermediate bloclt 40, the vertical adjustment of he latter serving to vary the degree of longitudinal movement of the work-holder.

The block 31 is provided upon its upper side with a perforated boss entering a corresponding aperture in the bar 30 and se- ,cured thereto by means of the screw 42 and with a boss beneath the same entering a corresponding aperture in the cover-plate 43 which follows the movements of the worltclamp. This block is disposedwitliin a longitudinal slot 44 in the bed-plate and is conined niovably therein by means of lower lateral flanges 31 thereon and the coverplate 43. The block 31 is provided with a longitudinal hole entered by a cylindrical sliding plug 45 having a transverse aperture which is entered b v a pin 46 extending up*- wardly thro-ugh a clearance aperture in the block 31 from the top o t a transverse yoke 47 embracing theshuttle-actuating shaft 212 and formed with a collar 48 secured upon Tletorvard end of a roclcshatt 49 mounted in suitable bearings in the work-supporting arm and provided with a lateral crank arm 50 to the outer end of which is connected the lower end of a pitman 51 whose opposite end embraces the spherical extremity of a shoul dered pin 5,2 secured adjustably by means ot' a clamp-nut and washer 54 within t-he slot ot a segmental slotted arm 56 of an angular lever having` an upirght arm 57 carrying a roller-stud 58 which enters a camgroove 59 in the cam 39. The roclnngof the angular lever transmits lateral mot-lon to the work-clamp through the pitman 51. rock-shaft 49, yoke 47, pin46. plug 45 and block 3l. the parts 31. 45 and 46 affording a universal joint connection between themembers 30 and 47 to permit the tree longitudiplate 30. l

The thread nipping and positioning deA vice comprises three independent levers 60. 61 and 62 each being provided in one end with a. hole 63 which is entered by a ful vertically adjustable on the pin or post 344 nal as well as lateralrv movement of the:

crum-screiv 64 atthe forward end of the carrier-bar 65 conforming in shape with and extending backivardly along the edge of the Work-supporting arm of the machine and beneath `the cam 39 to a point rearward of the latter, xvhere `it'is provided upon the underside with a plate 66, secured adjust.- ably to the same by means of fastening screws 67 passing through slots 68 in :the

said bar and provided with spaced lugs 6 9, embracing the lower .end .of the depending arm 70 of a bell-crank lever mounted uponV fnlcrumfscrew 71 and having a lateral arm I7 2 provided with a roller-stud 73 entering a groove 7.4 of the cam 39.- Each of the active portions of the eamfgroove A74 is provided with inner, outer and intermediate concenvtr1c portions 74 74", and 74,. respectively,

and with intervening steps, and are adapted to .Communicate to the thread-engaging members a continuous advance movement and ,a two-stage receding movement through,

the action of the bellcrank lever 70 7 2 and carrier-bar 65.A` This cam-groove is also pro.y

vided With a portion 749. having a larger leading'up Atothe outer portion 7 4" whereby the nipping members 60, 61 and 62 are advanced slowlyY to operative position nearthe end of each stitching operation, thus reducing the abrupt step which would otherwise unnecessarily impart a quick advance move' ment to these members throughout their ientire traverse.

The thread nipping and positioning levers are embraced by the longitudinally recessed forward end of a divided cam-plate composed .of the sections 75 and 76, the central recess being contracted by means of the oppositely'disposed cam-projections 77 and 78,

respectively, while the plate` 76 has near its outer end the lateral cam-notch 79. wWhile the cam parts 77, 78 and 79 might. be formed in the usual Way in hardened blocks set into vthe bed-plate, l prefer to provide them as above described for convenience in assembling the movable parts of the machine, the two sections of these cam plates being secured removably upon the Work-supporting arm by 'means of the fastening-screws 80, and permitting the easy application of the connections, including t the reciprocating blockl 3 1, between the work-clamp and its actuating' mechanism housed Within work-supporting arm.

The intermediate lever 61 is reduced-in vthickness and tapered ,i11"i t s .operative endll portion' which .terminates in a laterally set' .threadfengaging `finger 8 1: havingi thread.- receiving notch 81 at its base,'and

the body o fsuch lever' is formed with two cam-pro]ection s 82 and 33 upon .opposite edges .and atdiierent. dist-ancesthe.l fulcrumfscre-W 64 which are adaptedto.en-'

gage the stationary earn-projections 77 t-Bining radlus of curvature than the part 74 and.'

7S, respectively, during the longitudinal movements of the carrier 65. This lever is also provided with an Vadditional lateral projection upon the edge having the camprojection 83, which is provided with a depending `cana-pin 84 for a purpose `which* will later appear. g

The lower nipping lever 62 is provided .iin its low r face with a shallow channel which is secured by means of a screw the shank .of the lower thread-engaging and nipping spring-blade 86 having a hooked forward end. This lever6- 2 is provided at Y its pivoted end with alateral Slinger .87 entering and adapted to engage the ends of notch 79 for producing'the lateral throw "of the .lever 6 2 in its 'extreme advance .and retracted positions for purposes to be described.

The nipping lever 60 is provided in. itsupper facewith a shallow channel in which is secured by means of the fastening-screw 88 vthe shank of the nipping-blade 89 forked at its forward end to serve as a thread-deimplement, as hereinafter explained, and provided with a needle-hole 90. This lever is also provided adjacent its piv oted endvvith a lateral linger 91 entering the cam-notch 79, and with a 'curved shouldered portion 92 adapted to contact with the the levers 60, 61 and 62 are retained, Whereby a continuous spring-pressure 1s mam-o `tained between the common thread-engaging blade `A61 and the thread-engaging spring-blades 86 and 89.

The' flat knife-blade 95 is sharpen forward end to provide a cuttingA edge and is secured by means of a fastening-screw 96 to a slide-bar 97 havin a lateral arm 98 provided in lits outer en with a transverse socket in lwhich is adjustably secure(l .by

means of a set- Screw 99 .one end of an ace touting-rod 100 having its opposite.end c0ni .nl ected by means of a screw-pin 101 with one erin 1,02 offa bell-crank levervfulcrumed by means of a. screw-pin 103 upon ay rearwardly projecting-lug 104 ofthe bed-plate and-'having a rearwardly extending arm 10,5' prof,

vided with a pinLO passing'through a'slot or aperture ,in thefdepending va1' xn 107 of. theA stop-lever 108 substantially as represented. in my prior Patent- No. 807 ,-67 6;v The Slide? bar 97 and its lateral arm 9 8 rests the flat upper surface ,of theavoik-snppoetjpg 'structed substantially in accordance with my said prior patent, the stop-lever 108 car ryingthe ybelt-shifting guide-arm 109 and the splingpressed plunger-rod 110 adapted to engage the stopping-cam 111 attached to the fast pulley 5 in performing the stopping operation. and being held out of operative relation with said cam by means of the spring-pressed tripping-lever 112 one end ofwhieh is provided with a hook adapted to engage la shoulder Vupon the stop-lever to maintain the same in inoperative position in opposition to its spring 113, and the lother end of which lever lies in the path of movement of the tripping-lugs 114 secured adjustably upon the inner face of the camwheel As will be observed by reference tothe accompanying drawings, the trip ping-lugs 114 and all the operative portions of the cam-wheel are duplicated in diametrically opposite portions thereof. whereby the other operative parts of the machine are adapted to perform two complete cycles of 30 operation for each single rotation of the cam-wheel. -Xs also represented in in v said patent, the bracket-arm is provided with backwardly extending ears 115 of which the one on the farther side is provided with a socket 116 provided with the shouldered yielding buffer-pin 117 surrounded by the spring 11S by' which it is pressed normally in contactl` with the adjacent side of the stop-lever. which latter-is pivoted within Athe lug 119 to swing both longitudinally and transversely in respect. of the mainshaftof the machine. The longitudinal 'movement of the stop-lever 10S produces no effect upon the knife-actuating members,

but the lateral vibration of the same in opposition to the buer-pin 117 in overcoming the momentum of the main-shaft causes the rocking of the bell-crank lever 105 and the consequent reciprocation of the knife-blade 95 to sever the threads.

As represented in Figs 1. 3 and s1, the needle-bar is providedl at its lower end with a thread-clamp comprising a tension-plate 120 attached thereto Nby means of a fastening-screw 121 and provided with a threadguiding slot 122 lthrough which latter the thread passes between the lower end of the plate 120 and needle-bar 15 to the needle. The needle-bar also carries a lateral stud 123 upon which is pivoted a lever 124 whose lower end bears upon the lower portion ot the tension plate 120, and whose upper arm lis adapted to be engaged by an arm 125 secured upon the forward end of a reciprocating-rod 126 connected at its rearward end with a depending arm 127 of a bell-crank lever pivoted at 128 upon the bracket-arm and having the outer ends of its lateral arm 129 pressed normally upon the periphery ot' the cam-wheel 39 by means of a spring 130. The cam-wheel 39 is provided with the dian metrically disposed ca1n-recesses 131 each formed in two parts of different depth with an intermediate step, for purposes which will later appear.

The primary tension device comprises the usual tension-disks 132 pressed together by means ofthe spring 133 interposed between the same and the adjusting nut 1311 m0unted upon th'e stud-screw 135, and is provided with the usual slack-controlling spring 136, disposed betweenthe tension-disks and the' face-plate. The spring detent-plate 137 is secured at one end by means of a. fasted ing-screw 138 to the face-plate ant*` has its opposite end adjacent the thread-engaging arm of the slack-controlling spring 136 1nturned into a recess in the facefplate to form a detenshoulder. This-detentspring lies normally flat against the faceplate, with its shouldered end out of the path of move* ment of the spring 136', as represented in Figs. 7 and 8, but it is adapted to be shifted outwardly from its normal position and into the pat-h of movement of the spring 136 by its connection, by means of the split screw 139, with the reciprocating-rod 126, as indicated in Figs. 5 and 6.

The parts just described are so arranged and adjusted that while the operative end of the bellrrank arm 129 rests upon the periphery of the cam-wheel. 39, the rod 126 is retracted to render the tension-plate 120 inoperative upon the needle-thread and maintain the detent-plate 137 disengaged from the slack-controlling spring 136, the latter being permitted to exercise its normal function in controlling the slack needlethread in the regular stitching operation. lVhen the end of the arm 129 enters the shallower portion of the ca1n-recess 131, the rod 126 is slightly advanced, whereby a very slight pressure is placed upon the tensionplate 120 by means of the lever 124, and the detent-plate 137 is thrown outwardly into operative position so as to detain the threadcontrolling spring 136 in its upper position and prevent the latter from drawing thread in opposition to the slight drag imposed by the tension-plate to prevent the elasticity of the thread effecting the Unthreading of the needle when it is severed by theinsure the nipping of the cut end of the nee le-thread in the lower nipping device dur ng the first 1eciprocation ot' the needle preparatory to a stitching operation.

The machine is represented in Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9 and 11, with' its component -parts in the positions which they occupy the fast pulleys.

. eye of the button c and the fabric and also lao when the machine is at rest, 'and after completion ot' a full cycle of operation. In this` condition of the machine, the needle is raised and the take-up lever is a little below its highest position. The knife 95 is retracted and the end of the shuttle-thread a is nipped between the spring-blade 86 and the threz'td-engaging finger 81 in the ex- -eme forward and lateral positions of the thread-nipping members, as represented in Figs. 11 and 19. 1

The machine is set in motion by actuation through the needle-hole 90 in the nippingplate 89. The cam-Wheel 39 having moved 4 suiciently to bring the free end of the bellcrank arm 129 into the deeper portion o-f the cam-depression 131, the tension-plate 120 has by means ofthe lever 124 and rod 126 become firmly pressedv upon the. needlethread, Wherebythe action of the shuttle is 1 merelyvto draw down the cut end of the needle-thread through the needle-hole 90,

'primary tension-device 132.

rises to its highest position, me lateral,Y

as represented in Fig. 20, without drawing the usual stitch-length of thread through the As\the needle retraction of the finger 81 or the lever 61 by engagement of its lateral pro- Vjection 83 with the stationary projection 78 operates to grip the needlethread end between the members 81 and 89 as represented in Fig.4 21,I preparatory to the production of the inltial button- .fa'stening stitch. Thecu-t ends of both Vneedleand shuttle-threads are now held vsubstantially in'the same manner as they vvould have been if attached to 'the Work after a seriesof stitches had been made, and

Zare so held during the production of the first one or more initial fastening stitches, after which the roller-stud 7 3 rides dovvn the second step of. the cam-groove 74 into the innerV circular portion of such groove, Where it 'continues until the end of the stitching operation, thus retracting the thread-nippingmembers into and maintaining them in inoperative position, the lateral lingers 87V and {Q1-having. engaged the adjacent end of the' 'cam-notch 79 `to laterally move the blades 86 and ,89, respectively, in respect 'of the finger 81 so as to release both threadends, as represented in Fig. 13. At the completion of a stitching operation, the lever 112 is tripped by one of theV lugs 114 and the 'stop-lever 108 is permitted to return to its initial position under the action of its spring 113, thus throwing the end of the plungerrod 110 beneath the lower portion of the cam 111 and simultaneously throwing the belt from the fast to the loose pulley. In the continued operation of the machine due to the momentum of its moving parts, the rollerstud 73 enters one of the outer portions of thecam-groove- 74, as Arepresented in lF ig. 3, thus advancing the thread-nippingle'vers 60, 61 and 62 just as the needle is rising from delivering its thread-loop to the shuttle 17.4

The loop is carried bythe shutte toward lthe front of the machine and overthe point 142 of the notched-loop-dividing plateor loopdetaining member 142 which is secured upon `the.top of the shuttle race by means` .0f a

screw 143, and the loop is subse uently 'entered by the still advancing threa -engaging finger 81 of the lever 61 abot-e the plate 142 where such loop is retained for the cutting operation; the shuttle-thread having meantime been engaged by the rearwardedge of the finger 81, as represented in Fig. 22', and subsequently clamped by the hooked nipping-blade 86, as represented in Fig. 23,. upon the under side of such finger by an accelerated lateral movement of the hooked outer end of thenipping-blade 86 derived from the engagement of the lateral finger 87v Wit-h the end of the cam-notch 79, as represented in Fig. 11. Simultaneously with the advance of the thread-nipping members to operative position, the end of the bellcrank arm 129 has enteredthe shallower portion of the cam-recess 131 and through the action of the rod 126 and lever 124 produces al slight dragging/action of the tension-plate ,120

upon the needle-thread and simultaneously throws outwardly the shouldered end of the detent-plate 137. The rise of the take-up lever 10 noW draws the needle-thread taut and raises the slack-controlling spring 136 'into engagement with the shouldered end of the detent-lever 137, to render' it temporarily inoperative upon the needle-thread. As the upper end ofthe plunger rod 110 snaps into its "notch in the stop-cani 111, the still remaining momentum ofthe moving parts causes the lateral throw of the stop-leven 108 in oppositionto the spring-pressedQbuiferpin 117, thereby shifting the depending-farm l 107, which acts, thrpughthebell-crank lever 102 105, rodv 100 and slide-bar 97,13()l advance the knife -95 across the `forked;endof the blade 89 Within which the'shuttle-thread and. the limb of the needle-threadcloop con-4 nected with the workvare con-lined andsust-ained against retreat-under theaotio" ofsglSO.

the knife, therebyv severing both threads, the

take-up lever rising during' auch overthrow y to its highest position and thereby maintaining the needle-thread taut for the cutting operation. A slight drag is imposed by the tension-plate` 120 upon the'necdle-thread in its cutting 'operation which overcomes the tendency of the thread, when severed, owing to its elasticity, to draw upwardly through the needle-eye and thus shorten to a greater or less degree the length of the cut end of thread beyond the needle-eye necessary -for the production of the initial stitch ot' succeeding series.

lVhile the loop-dividing plate 142 is not necessary to the effective operation of the present improvement, its presence is desirable, in that it insures against the release of the needle-thread loop from th'e threadinger 81 by reason of the kinking of the thread in the stitch-setting operation. As

before explained, the point 142 of the loop-l dividing plate 142 lies directly above the shuttle, and is represented 'with its edge nearest the front end of the machine substantially flush with the corresponding edge of the shuttle, the beak of which in its looptaking movements in a direction toward the operator, and consequently toward the point of the loop-dividing plate, tends to carry the needle-thread loop over the point 142 of the plate 142; and just. subsequent to the final loop-seizing -action of the shuttle, the point 8l of the thread-engaging and positioning member' moves forward in its rst operative stage to the position represented in Fig. 12 adjacent to and slightly above the point of the loop-dividing plate 142, and in the n'al stage passes completely over thej'point 142', as represented in Fig. 11, and consequently into the needle-thread loop openedout by the same`to finally position the limb of thev thread-loop attached to the work preparatory to the actuation of the knife 95 to sever both threads. It will beA observed that I employ a common thread engaging member 61 which acts upon both. threads in conjunction with the members (SO and G2; and that these several members carrying the thread-engaging implements 81, S9 and 86, respectively, are given their longitudinal and transverse movements respectively by means of the reciprocating bar 65 and the stationary two-part camplate T5 76, with cam portions T7, 7S and 79, each of these actuating means operating independentlvv of the other and of the reciprocating rod 100 from which the knife derives its operative movements. The members GO and ($2, while they are mounted upon the same pivotal stud and therefore derive equal longitudinal movements from the carrier-bar 65, have their lateral lingers 91 and 87 in somewhat different relative positions to the common pivotal stud, whereby the action menace lthcreon of the operative portions of the cam-notch T9 produces lateral movements oit the respective members which are different in degree and in timing, and the operative portions of these members consisting of the spring-blades b9 and 86, respectively, may therefore be said t-o constitute independently-operative implements which coperate with the intermediate member 61 carrying the implement 81 in the handling of the threads.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that. the present improvement is susceptible of considerabley modification -without departure 4from the spirit ofthe present invention, which relates more particularly to means for performing vthe-described general operations effected by the presentmachine in severing the threads and handling 1. In a sewing machine, the combination prising mechanism, including a movable both threads, and means acting 1n conjunction therewith in engaging and positioning the upper and ,lower threads, an im- `plement for severing both threads, and independently acting means for actuating the thread-engaging and positioning means and the severing implement, respectively. y 2. In a sewing machine, the combination with upper and lower thread stitch-forming mechanism, of a thread-severing device comprising mechanism, including a movable thread-engaging member operating upon both threads, and independently-operative implements cooperating therewith, respectively, for nipping and positioning the under thread and positioning the upper thread, an implement for severing both threads, and independently acting means for actuating the thread nipping and positioning implements and the severing implement, respectively.

. In a sewing machine, the combination reciprocating needle carrying an upper thread, and a cooperating loop-taker, of a thread severing device comprlsing a moventer and posit-ion a loop of upper thread,a. thread-nipping implement movable with and relatively to said thread-engaging implement, a movable implement 'for severiig one limb of said thread-loop, and indep'enl e differentially actuated.

with stitch-forming mechanism including a the samebefore and after such severing.

thread-engaging member operating upon,

ntlyAk acting means lwhereby said implements are 4. In a sewing machine, the combination.

with stitch-forming mechanism including a able thread-engaging,implement adapted to" 'with upper and lower thread stitch-forming mechanism, of a thread-severing device comable thread-engaging implement adapted to, o

the Vthread-loop from the latter, a movable- .implement for severing one limb ofsaid reciprocating needle carrying an upper thread, and a cooperating lower thread looptaker, ofa t read severing device compris'- ing a movab e thread-engaging implement adapted to enter a loop of upper thread and to position one limb of the upper thread loop and the lower thread, two thread-nipping implements movable with and-relatively enter and position aloop of. upper thread, a loop-detaining vmember coperating with said implement in preventing the escape of thread-loop', and means whereby said implements are differentially actuated.

6. In a sewing machine, the ce bination with stitch-forming mechanism inluding a reciprocating needle' carrying an upper thread, and a coperating loop-taker,` of a thread-severing device comprising a movable thread-engaging implement adapted to enter and position a loop of upper thread, a loop-detaining member toward which the threadengagingimplement carries the thread-loop and by which the thread-loop is prevented from escaping, a movable implement for severing one limb of said threadloop, and means whereby said implements are differentially actuated.

7. In a sewing machine, the combination with upper and lower thread stitch-forming mechanism, of a thread-'severing device comprising an implement vfor entering and positioning a loop of upper 'thread andfor positioning 'the lower thread, an implement movable in respect lof the first-named implement for severing both the lower-thread and one limb of the upper thread-loop, and independentlyV acting means whereby said implements are diferentially actuated.

8. In a sewing machine, the combination with upper and lower thread stitch-forming l mechanism, of a thread nipping and severing device comprising a common thread-engaging blade and separate upper and lowerL thread nipping blades 'cooperating therewith, said blades beingadapted to nip and position the lower threadgand to enter an upper thread loop andposition one limb of thevsame. prior to a thread severing operation and to nip the upper thread ,preparatory to a succeeding stitching operation, means for actuating said blades, a common implement for severing both threads so positioned and means for actuating it.

70 9. In a sewing machine, the combination with upper and lower thread stitch-forming mechanism, of a thread nipping and severing device comprising a common thread-eugaging blade and separate upper and` lower thread nipping blades cooperating therewith,'said blades being adapted to nip and position the lower ythread and to enter an upper thread loop and position one limb of lthe same prior-to a thread severing opeiao mechanism, of a thread nipping and sevei- 9o ing device comprising a common thread-cngaging blade and separate upper and lower thread nipping blades coperating therewith, means including a common actuating member whereby said thread-engaging blade is caused to enter a needle-'thread loop and position one of its limbs and one of said nippingblades is operated to nip and position the lower thread 'prior to a severing operation arid the other nipping blade is caused to nip the upper thread preparatory te a stitching operation succeeding a severing operation, a common implement for severing both threads so positioned, and means for actuating it.

l1. In a'sewing machine, the combination with stitch-forming mechanism including a reciprocating upper thread carrying needle Aand lower thread mechanism, of a thread severing 'device comprising ,an implement for entering and positioning afloop of upper thread and an implement for nipping the lower thread, of common means for bodily reciprocating said implements toward and. from the line of motion of said need-le andi independent means for imparting lateral movements to said implements, and a sever- A ing member operated independently of said implements. A-

12. In a sewing machine the combinationl with upper and lower thread stitch-forming mechanism, of a thread nipping and-.sever-l ing device comprising 'a plurality of thread-v engaging blades having lateralcam-slioulders, a reciprocating carrier 'upon which said thread-engaging blades are pivotally Vmounted, stationary .cam-projections .adapted to' engage said cam-shoulders for imparting actual and relative lateral 'movements to said blades for positioning and nipping the thread or threads, a cutting member for severing the threads, and means for actuating said cutting member.

ing device comprising a plurality of threadengaging blades, a reciprocating carrier upon which said thread-engaging blades are pivotally mounted, means for communicating independently to Vsaid blades relative lateral thread-engaging movements upon said carrier, means for positively communicating to one of said blades its lateral retractive movement, means whereby said retractive movement is communicated to another of said blades, a cutting member for Severino` the threads, and means for actuating said cutting member. h

14. In a sewin machine, the combination with a throat-p ate, and upper` and lower thread stitch-forming mechanism including a needle reciprocating through said throatplate, of a thread-engaging and 'positioning vimplement adapted to act upon both the upper and the under thread and provided with ing movements, whereby one ot' said threads 1s nipped between said implements, a. severlateral cam-shaped edges, a reciprocating carrier movable transversely of the needle A.pat-h and substantially parallel with said throat-plate upon which said implement is pivotally mounted, stat-ionary abutments for engaging said cam-shaped edgesto produce lateral thread-engaging movements, a severing member coperating with said implement in cutting both threads, and means for actuating said severing member.

15. In a sewing machine, the combination with upper and lower thread stitch-forming niechanism, of a thread-engaging and positioning implement adapted to act upon both the upper and the under thread and provided with lateral cam-shaped edges, an under thread nipping implement adapted Vto cooperate therewith and provided with a lateral finger, a common reciprocating carrier upon which said implements are pivotally mounted, stationary abutments adapted to engage the cam-shaped edges and the lateral finger upon their res ective implementstor imparting thereto di erential thread-engaglng member coperating with said implements in cutting both threads, and means for actuating said severing member.

16.l In a sewing machine, the combination with upper and lower thread stitch-forming mechanism, of a thread engaging and positioning implement adapted to act upon both the upper and the under thread, an under thread nipping implement yadapted to coph aV common reciprocating v hich said implements are pivotally me d, means whereby ldifferential lateral movementsI are imparted independcrate there ently to said implements in their thread-engaging movements and whereby positive lateral retractive movements are imparted to;

one of said implements, means whereby initial lateral retractive movements are imparted from one to the other of said implements, independent means for imparting final retractive lateral movements to the second-named implement, a severing member at apted to cooperate with said implementsin cutting both threads, and means for actuating said severing member.

17. In a sewing machine, the combination with upper and lower thread stitch-forming mechanism, of a thread-engaging and positioning implement adapted to act upon both the upper and the under thread, upper and lower thread nipping implements a coperateindependently therewith',4 a common reciprocating carrier upon,fwhich said implements are pivotally mounted, means including stationary cam-members for communicating lateral thread-engagingl and releasing movements to said implements, a' severing member adapted to cooperate with said implements in cutting both threads, and means for'actuating said severing member.

18. In a sewing machine, the combination with upper and lower thread stitch-forming mechanism, of a thread-engaging and posidapted to tioning implement adapted to act upon both the upper and the under thread, upper and' lower thread-nipping implements adapted to coperate independently therewith, means for imparting to said thread-engaging and positioning implement advance and lateral thread-engaging movements and reverse retracti've movements,means for producing relative lateral ,movements between said nipping and said thread-engaging and positioning implements, whereby the lower thread is nipped during one stitch-forming operation and the upper thread is nipped during a second stitch-forming operation and both threads are released during a succeeding stitch-forming operation, a severing member adapted to coperate with said implements in cutting both threads, and means for actuating said severing member intermediate said thread-nipping operations for severing both threads.

19. A sewing machineconstructed with a work-supporting arm and an overhanging bracket-arm, upper and lower thread stitchforming mechanism, a work-clamp, actuating means for the work-clamp'within the work-supporting arm, connections including a reciprocating block intermediate said actuating means and the Work-clamp, a plurality vof thread-engaging levers provided with lateral cam-projections adapted to position and nip the threads beneath the work, a `reciprocating common carrier to which said levers are pivotally connected, a

ed to coperate with said implements inl i .putting both threads, and means for actuating saidsevering member.

20. In a sewing machine, the `combination with. Aupper and lower thread stitchforming mechanism, of a thread-engaging and positioning vimplement adapted to act upon both the upper and the under thread, an under thread nipping limplement adapted to cooperate therewith, a thread detaining implement also cooperating withY the firstiiamed implement, a common reciprocating carrierupon which -said implements are pivotally mounted, means for imparting differential lateral movements to said implements in their operative vactions, whereby both threads are tirst engaged by the rst mentioned implement and the lower thread is thereafter nipped by the second-named implement, and the third mentioned implement is caused to overlie the rst-mentioned implement, a severing member adapted to coperate with saidv implements in cutting both threads, and means for imparting to-said severing member its operative movement in the opposite direction from those of said implements and adapted to act upon the threads in opposition to said thread detaining. implement.

21. In a sewing machine, the combination with stitch-forming mechanism, including a reciprocating upper thread carrying needle and lower thread mechanism, of an'implement movable toward and vfrom the line of reciprocation of said needle and. adapted'to vseparate the limbs of an upper thread loop and position one of said limbs and the lower thread, andan independent bodily 'reciprocating severing member provided with a cutting edge disposed at the oppositeside af the path"` of reciprocation of said needle, and meansy for actuating the same to sever both threads. l i 22. In a sewing machine, the combination .Jith stitch-forming mechanism, including a .reciprocating upper thread carrying needle 1nd lower thread mechanism, oan implement movable -toward and from the line` of reciprocationof said needle and adaptedto -,epa'ratethe'limbs of an 'upper thread loop and position one of said limbs and the lower thread,a severing member ha ving a cutting edged adjacent but on the opposlte side of theA path of reciprocation. of said .needle romdfsaid implement',` a rectilinearly recip- "rocating carrier for said severing member,

aston-motion device for arresting the operation o f said stitch-forming mechanism and comprising a stop-lever yieldingly maintained from sidewise movement 'but adapted to receive such movement in overcoming the momentum of the 'machine in coming to rest, a bell-crank lever having one of its arms connected to and movable with said stop-lever' in its sidewise movements, and a connection between saidreciprocating carrier and another arm' of saidbell-crank lever from which said severing member derives its operative movements.

23.v In asewing machine, the combination with stitch-forming mechanism includingla reciprocating upper thiyead carrying needle and lower thread mechanism, an upper lthread tension device, a thread cutter and a needle thread Dipper with automatically acting means for causing it to nip the needle-thread in the initial stitchforming operation succeeding a thread cut-u ting operation, of an' upper thread clamp initermediate said tension device and the needle, andmeans Jfor automatically operating the same in two separate stages of action to impose a slight drag on the needle thread when the latter is severed and to thereafter firmly clamp said needle thread during the initial stitch-forming operation thereafter.

24. In a sewing machine, the combination with stitch-forming mechanism ineludingfa reciprocating upper thread carrying needle and lower thread mechanism, an upper thread tension device, an upper thread take-up and an upper thread cutter, of a spring-actuated slack thread controller in- 10o termediate said tension device and the needle, thev same -being adapted to act normally upon the needle thread in the prof duction of a succession of stitches, a'nd automatically acting -vnieans for rendering said E slack thread dontroller inoperative during the thread cutting operation.

, 25. In a sewing machine, the combination with stitch-forming mechanism including a s reciprocating upper thread carrying needle 110 and lower thread mechanism, an upper thread'tension device, an upper thread takeup, a-thread cutter and a needle thread nipper with. automatically acting means for initial'stitch-forming operation succeeding a. thread cutting operation, of an upper thread clampintermediate said tension device and the needle, a slack threadcontroller intermediate the tension device and said 120 thread clamp, means for automatically operating said threadclamp to impose a 'slight -drag on the needle threadwhen the latter is severed and t0 thereafter firmly clamp said `needle thread during the-initial'stitch-form- 125 ying operation thereafter, and automatically acting means for rendering sald'slack Ithread controller inoperative duringhe thread cutting operation.Y

c ausing `it to nip the needle thread in the 26. In a sewing machine, the combination '.130

ice and the needle; a slack thread controller withstitch-forming mechanism including a reciprocating upper thread carrying needle and lower thread mechanism, an upper thread tension device, an upper thread takeup, a thread cutter and a needle thread nip- -per with automatically acting means for causing it to nip the needle thread in the initial stitch-forming operation succeeding a thread cutting operation, ot' an upper thread clamp intenmediate said tension deintermediate the `tension device 'and said thread cla-mp, and .automatically acting means, including acommon actuating member, :tor operating tsaid thread clamp to im-v pose a slight drag onthe needle thread when the latter is severediand to thereafter firmly clampsaid needle thread' during the initial stitch-forming operation thereafter, and lor Simultaneously rentlelqing and maintaining said slack thread controllerinoperative.

27. In a sewing machine, the combination 'with stitch-forming mechanism including a reciprocating upper thread carrying vneedle and lower thread mechanism, an upper thread tension device, a takeaip, and a thread cutter, of a spring-actuated slack thread controlling arm intermediate said tension device and the needle, a detent-plate having a stop-shoulder normally disposed adjacent the path of movement ot' said slack thread controlling arm, and automatically acting means for shitting said detent-plate into operative relation with said slack thread controlling arm to render the same temporarily inoperative during a thread cutting operation.

28. Ina sewing machine, the combination with stitch-forming mechanism including a reciprocating upper thread carrying needle and lower thread mechanism, an upper thread tension device, a take-up, and a thread cutter, anda needlel thread nipper coperating therewith in the severing of the needle thread, of `a stop-motion device co1nprising a stop cam connected with the stitchforming mechanism, a sidewise movable stop-lever adapted to be thrown into and out of operative relation with saidstop-cam, and a spring-pressed bu'er for normally restraining said stop-lever from sidewise movement with said stop-cam, said stop-cam' being adjusted to causethe tinal stoppage of the machine With the take-up slightly below its stitch-setting position, and a connection intermediate said thread-cutter and stoplever whereby the sidewise movement of the latter produced by, the overthrow of the mafl chine incoming to rest causes the actuation vet' the thread-cutter and the simultaneousl completion by the taire-up of its stitch-setting operation. j

29. In a sewing machine, the combination with stitclrtorming mechanism including a reciprocating upper thread carrying needlel and lower thread mechanism, a rotary mainshaft from which the reciprocations of said needle are derived, an upper thread tension device, a take-up lever, means carried by the ma1n-shatt for vibrating said take-up lever' sidewise movements of the latter producedby the overthrow of the machine in coming to rest causes the actuation of the thread? 'cutter and the simultaneous completion by the take-up'of its stitch-setting operation.v

30. In a sewing machine, the combination with stitch-forming mechanism including a reciprocating upper thread carrying needle and a loop-taker adapted to seize the thread loops from said needle, of a loop-divider disposed above said loop-taker and adapted to enter the needle thread loops opened. and

carried toward the same by the loop-taker,l an implement adapted to enter a needlev thread loop thus engaged by the vloopdivider and retain the saine upon the latter,

an implement for severing one limb of said A needle thread loop, and means for automatln cally actuating said implements duringthe' production of the nal stitch of a succession of stitches. .Y l

In testimony whereof, I have' signed iriy name to this specification, in the presencel of two subscribing witnesses. CHARLES M; nonron.; Vitnesses:

HENRY J. MILLER, HENRY A. .KORNEMANLZ Copies of this'patiit-'may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the "Commissioner of Patente,K

' Washington, D. C. 

